"We have a group of faceless, scary guys that are terrorizing the community," said Brodsky.

During the gang’s heyday, Brodsky headed up the South Florida Violent Crimes Task Force, the multi-agency group charged with catching the crooks.

“This group appears to be more organized than your typical bank robbers,” said Brodsky. “They’re highly structured, using military tactics during the commission of these robberies and we believe they have a strong propensity for violence.”

Investigators believe the gang knocked off a dozen banks in South Florida between 2004 and 2007, getting away with nearly $1 million dollars. The bank robbers carry AK-47s, Tech-9s, and AR-15 Assault Rifles, authorities say.

A woman identified as ‘Maria’ said she witnessed their violence up close.

Maria told Local 10 about one of the robberies she witnessed inside a bank.

“I'm talking to the teller and all of a sudden two guys walk in, one with a big gun and one with a small gun,” said Maria.

She was withdrawing money to pay her college tuition when the masked men forced her to the floor.

"For a minute, you're in shock. You never think you're going to be at the opposite end of a gun until it happens,” said Maria.

It was a frightening four minutes for Maria, and an ordeal that forever changed her life. Maria was pregnant at the time, and said she had a miscarriage just hours after the robbery.

“I lost my baby. The baby’s heart had stopped beating. I just kind of shook my head and let it sink in for awhile – and then I started crying. I just hope these guys get caught,” said Maria.

In 2007, moments after a bank was hit in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach Sheriff’s deputies caught up with two of the men. 25-year-old Joshua Beasley was shot and killed by deputies when he tried to grab one of the officers’ guns, deputies said. His younger brother, Brandon Beasley, was shot when he reached into a moneybag from the bank, retrieved a rifle and turned it on a deputy, authorities said.

Copyright 2013 by Local10.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms Of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.